By Tom Philpott: Military Update Let’s go on a scavenger hunt! The object is to find one (or more) of 89,836 service members, many of them now veterans, who were forced to stay on active duty under “stop loss” orders, for days or months beyond projected separation or retirement dates, sometime from Sept. 11, 2001, […]

American Forces Press Service SAN ANTONIO — In working closely with the Office of the Secretary of Defense staff on a congressional action involving veterans submitting claims for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay, major command and wing level officials are working to inform veterans who were affected by stop loss. Eligible airmen include those who […]

By Daniel P. Elkins: Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs Office RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — Thousands of current and former airmen remain eligible to receive $500 in retroactive special pay for each month they were affected by stop loss. Airmen have until Oct. 21 to apply through the Air Force Personnel Center here. […]

By Baxter Black: On the Edge of Common Sense Back before the collapse of the United Soviet Socialist Republic we had visitors from Romania tour our feedlot. We explained the program including cost of cattle, feed, maintenance, and cost of grain. “How much will they pay you for your cattle?” they asked. “We don’t know,” […]

By Thomas Garcia: Freedom New Mexico A lawsuit filed in Santa Fe claims Tucumcari police stole $47,000 from two Kansas residents during a May 2 traffic stop. Tucumcari police records tell a far different story, claiming $53,140 was seized and handed over to federal officials as part of an investigation related to a possible illegal […]

By Daniel P. Elkins: Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs Office RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — More than 2,600 current and former airmen have been approved for retroactive stop-loss special pay since Air Force Personnel Center officials here began accepting claims in September. Officials continue to seek airmen who were involuntarily held on active […]

By Karl Terry: Fredom columnist “Where did you hide them,” whined my wife as she opened cabinets after supper on a recent evening. I didn’t have to ask what she was looking for, I knew she was after the Whoppers the Original Malted Milk Balls. If I played my cards right I knew she would […]

Freedom New Mexico The Alley Cats will be performing favorites from the fifties and sixties during their stop in Clovis Saturday. The Alley Cats are part of Clovis Community College’s Cultural Arts Series. They bring tight, four-part harmonies, universal humor and a cappella energy to each performance. They have shared the stage with greats such […]

By Tom Philpott: CNJ columnist About 185,000 veterans who were forced by wartime “stop loss” orders to serve on active duty after enlistment contracts had expired, or past their approved retirement dates, are due a retroactive special payment of $500 for each extra month they served. But these veterans must apply by Oct. 21 to […]

Clarence Plank: PNT Staff Writer A family of five is partaking in a long journey to Alaska by bicycle, and coming through eastern New Mexico on the way. The “Pedouins,” as the Harrisons are nicknamed, are traveling 7,000 miles to Alaska to experience the joy, laughter, hardships and struggles along the way. They expect to […]

By Kevin Wilson: PNT columnist I’ve always been leery when I see a movie based on a video game. There’s no reset button if the movie turns bad, and you don’t have a controller to take over if you see the character’s screwing things up. But I do look forward to “Prince of Persia: Sands […]

By Darlene Superville: The Associated Press RIO RANCHO — President Barack Obama urged Congress on Thursday to quickly send him legislation ending abusive credit card practices. But his populist appeal also included a stern warning to shoppers whose eyes are bigger than their budgets. “There’s no doubt that people need to accept responsibility,” Obama said […]

By Eric Butler: FNM correspondent Lori Bollema knows some Portales residents have struggled to adjust to a new stop sign that has halted northeast-bound traffic on 2nd Street at Main. From her vantage point at the Bread Basket, she still sees motorists drive straight through the stop sign. And it’s been more than two months […]

By Mickey Winfield: PNT staff writer Portales public school students who pass through the first grade will know basic fire safety, and they’ll also be on a first name basis with many Portales firefighters, thanks to the Fire Buddy program. The Fire Buddy program consists of Portales firefighters visiting Steiner Elementary School about once a […]

Freedom New Mexico A Portales man died Sunday morning when the car he was driving crashed into a tree while police were trying to pull him over, according to Portales police. Miguel Gutierrez Ornelas, 25, died at the scene, according to a police press release. A passenger in the car, Celio Salazar, 30, was airlifted […]

PNT Staff Reports Four-way stop planned The city of Portales will place a four-way stop at the intersection of 17th Street and Avenue D on Monday. The four-way stop is needed because this intersection is a detour because of construction at the intersection of 18th Street and Avenue D, according to city officials. Information: 356-6662 […]

By Karl Terry, PNT Managing Editor Democrat U.S. Rep. Tom Udall made a stop on the Eastern New Mexico University campus in Portales Wednesday as a part of his campaign for the U.S. Senate. Udall faces U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-NM in his bid to replace retiring Republican senator Pete Domenici. Speaking to students and […]

Thomas Garcia Forty people gathered on the Roosevelt County Courthouse lawn to welcome and support Journey of Hope cyclists as they rode through Portales. “We are real happy with the turnout today,” said event coordinator, Veda Urisote, Roosevelt County Deputy Clerk. “This group of young men are riding for such a good cause and it […]

By Sarah Meyer, PNT Staff Writer Residents who live near Eastern New Mexico University may have wondered why a small red, white and blue helicopter was flying so low over their homes Tuesday morning. The Albuquerque Police Department helicopter wasn’t searching for criminals nor on a search-and-rescue mission, but rather on its way to ENMU. […]